PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Riggs (ranked 569 p4p, 74 weight class) and Guy Laliberte (ranked 847 p4p, 109 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Riggs
vs
Laliberte

190 cm
32
286 lbs
20 - 10 - 2

190 cm
30
240 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ryan Riggs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Guy Laliberte!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Wagner Zegers and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riggs scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A jab from Riggs finds it's way through Laliberte's defenses.
Riggs pivots, looking for a leg kick but Laliberte is out of range and Riggs settles back down.
Laliberte moves out of range of the strikes.
A nice side step and Laliberte releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Riggs looks to land a left hand but Laliberte moved out of range nicely.
Laliberte misses with a low kick.
Riggs misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Laliberte.
We've been hearing reports that Riggs has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Laliberte misses with a hook.
Riggs uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Laliberte.
Laliberte fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Riggs checks it well.
Riggs lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Riggs throws an off balance right hand
and Laliberte makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riggs lands with a shot to the body.
Riggs throws out a loose jab but Laliberte uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jab, jab by Laliberte - just one landing.
A combination from Riggs does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riggs chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Laliberte can pounce on him.
Guy Laliberte is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Riggs on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Laliberte. Laliberte obviously looking to wear him down.

Riggs gets a double leg takedown into Laliberte's guard.
Riggs throws an elbow that misses. Laliberte uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Riggs's guard. Nice move by Laliberte!

Riggs looking for a sweep. Not yet Riggs, not yet.
Riggs is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Laliberte is controlling him.
Riggs controls Laliberte momentarily but Laliberte frees himself.
Riggs is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Riggs pulls Laliberte in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riggs looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Riggs is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Riggs takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Riggs not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Laliberte is holding on to half guard well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Riggs not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Laliberte keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Riggs thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Riggs content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Riggs throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riggs thows a huge punch but Laliberte dodges it nicely.
Laliberte blocking the ground and pound attempt from Riggs.
Riggs thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Laliberte's head.
Riggs trying to control from half guard but Laliberte is working away.
Riggs is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Riggs throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Laliberte to regain full guard.
Riggs trying to control but Laliberte is working from the bottom.
Riggs content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riggs chips away with some ground and pound.
Riggs is in close to Laliberte's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Riggs loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Riggs throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Laliberte seems keen to control Riggs's posture.
Laliberte keeping moving, preventing Riggs from controlling successfully.
Riggs has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Laliberte avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Riggs keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Laliberte's head.
Riggs with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Riggs dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Riggs throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Laliberte on the side of the head.

Riggs feints and as Laliberte raises his hands in defense, Riggs changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Riggs working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Laliberte's head.
Laliberte has momentary wrist control but Riggs slips an elbow through the middle.
Riggs keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Laliberte's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Laliberte has momentary wrist control but Riggs slips an elbow through the middle.
Laliberte preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Riggs is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Laliberte can do to turn this around?
Riggs postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Riggs lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Riggs throwing strikes but missing.
Riggs with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Riggs accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laliberte is trying to keep Riggs in close.
Riggs in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Riggs landing some decent shots from guard.
Laliberte avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Riggs is looking to work some ground and pound but Laliberte has wrist control.
Laliberte avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Riggs throws a big right hand that misses.
Riggs trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Riggs throws an elbow that misses. Laliberte uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Riggs's guard. Nice move by Laliberte!

Riggs is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laliberte controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Riggs wants to sweep but no luck.
Riggs is working hard here to advance position.
Riggs working a defensive guard but Laliberte manages to pass into side control anyway.
Riggs can't do much from the bottom here.
Riggs is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Riggs manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Laliberte keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Riggs looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Ryan Riggs overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Riggs thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Laliberte's head.
Riggs scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Riggs not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Laliberte blocking the ground and pound attempt from Riggs.
Riggs sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Laliberte defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riggs missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Laliberte is refusing to be controlled, as Riggs sits in half guard.
Riggs missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Riggs lands with a punch from half guard.
Riggs misses with a head shot. Laliberte uses the momentum to regain guard.
Riggs trying to control but Laliberte is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Riggs is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Riggs is in close to Laliberte's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Riggs dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Riggs feints and as Laliberte raises his hands in defense, Riggs changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Laliberte pushes Riggs off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
A swing and a miss from Riggs.
Laliberte defending well as Riggs loads up on a big left hand.
Ryan Riggs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Laliberte fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Riggs checks it well.
No luck for Riggs with that takedown attempt.
Riggs lands a glancing blow to the side of Laliberte's head.
Riggs swings for the body but Laliberte moves out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Laliberte there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Riggs misses the shot to the body.
Laliberte drops his hands momentarily and Riggs takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Laliberte tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Riggs was well out of range. Poor timing from Laliberte.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riggs looks for a takedown but Laliberte sprawls well.
Laliberte throws a low kick, looking for Riggs's leg but Riggs calmly moves out of range.
A jab from Riggs misses.
Laliberte slips under a jab from Riggs.
Riggs shoots in for a takedown but Laliberte shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Riggs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Riggs fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Riggs closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Riggs lands in his opponent's guard.
Riggs with a flurry of punches that miss.
Laliberte keeping moving, preventing Riggs from controlling successfully.
Riggs lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riggs is looking to work some ground and pound but Laliberte has wrist control.
Riggs distracts Laliberte with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Laliberte wants to sweep but no luck.
Riggs advances to half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Riggs connects with a nice short shot to Laliberte's temple.
Riggs takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Laliberte on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Laliberte avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Riggs.
Riggs throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Riggs seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Riggs throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riggs thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Laliberte's head.
Laliberte is looking to improve his position.
Riggs looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Laliberte keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Riggs sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Laliberte defending well though.
Laliberte has hold of Riggs's hands but Riggs slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Riggs passes the guard and advances to mount!
Riggs landing strikes from the mount.
Laliberte takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Riggs raining down hammerfists from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riggs throws some wild stikes that Laliberte manages to avoid easily.
Riggs cracks Laliberte with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Laliberte is rocked!
Riggs loads up with a big shot that hurts Laliberte! He's pulled Riggs in close but Riggs has postured up and lands more strikes. Can Laliberte survive? More strikes from Riggs and Laliberte is out! The ref jumps in to save him! Brutal ground and pound!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Ryan Riggs!